Colorado Hunter Education Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   Which animal has a large tan rump patch and a dark brown neck?

   • AWhite-tailed deer
   • BMoose
   • CBlack bear
   • DElk
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Elk

   Elk have a light rump patch, a darker neck and long, curved antlers on bulls.

2. Question 2 of 25

   A partner has a deep cut that is bleeding heavily. What should you do first?

   • AGive them water and wait for it to stop on its own
   • BSend them to walk out alone
   • CRinse it and leave it open
   • DPress firmly on the wound and call for help
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Press firmly on the wound and call for help

   Firm, direct pressure is the first step to stop severe bleeding.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Which US president, a hunter and conservationist, set aside large areas of public land and wildlife refuges?

   • AGeorge Washington
   • BTheodore Roosevelt
   • CAbraham Lincoln
   • DJohn Adams
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Theodore Roosevelt

   Roosevelt also helped found the Boone and Crockett Club in 1887.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What does "fair chase" mean?

   • AHunting without an unfair or improper advantage over the animal
   • BChasing game with a vehicle until it gets too tired to run any farther
   • CGiving the animal a head start
   • DShooting only running animals
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Hunting without an unfair or improper advantage over the animal

   Fair chase shows respect for the animal and for hunting.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What should you carry while hunting in a state that requires hunter education?

   • AYour license and proof of hunter education (or a valid exemption)
   • BOnly your gun's receipt
   • CNothing, as long as you are hunting on private land with permission
   • DOnly your driver's license
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Your license and proof of hunter education (or a valid exemption)

   Texas, for example, requires hunters to carry proof of certification or deferral while hunting.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Why is cotton a poor choice in cold, wet weather?

   • AIt is too warm
   • BIt soaks up water and loses its insulation when wet
   • CIt is too bright
   • DIt is banned for hunting clothing in most states
   Show answer

   Answer: B. It soaks up water and loses its insulation when wet

   Wool and synthetics keep more warmth when damp.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Why should you never shoot at water or a flat, hard surface?

   • AThe noise carries much farther and scares away all game
   • BThe bullet or pellets can ricochet in a new direction
   • CIt is only a problem with rifles
   • DIt will damage your scope
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The bullet or pellets can ricochet in a new direction

   Water, rocks and pavement can make projectiles bounce toward people.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Which ammunition should you use?

   • AWhatever is cheapest
   • BAny shell that fits in the chamber and lets the action close
   • CAny shell of a similar length
   • DOnly ammunition that matches the data stamp on the barrel
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Only ammunition that matches the data stamp on the barrel

   The barrel is stamped with its gauge or caliber. The wrong ammunition can cause a dangerous failure.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Before hunting on private land, what should you do?

   • APark out of sight
   • BNothing, as long as there are no signs posted
   • CGet the landowner's permission, ideally in writing
   • DAsk a neighbor
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Get the landowner's permission, ideally in writing

   Getting permission builds good relationships and is required by law in many places.

10. Question 10 of 25

    When should you nock an arrow?

    • AWhen you leave your vehicle
    • BWhile climbing a tree stand, to save time later when game appears
    • COnly when you are ready to shoot at an identified target
    • DWhile walking through brush
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Only when you are ready to shoot at an identified target

    A nocked arrow can be released by accident.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Is it acceptable to leave edible game meat to spoil in the field?

    • AYes, at the end of the season
    • BNo. Wasting game is unethical and illegal in many states
    • CYes, for small game
    • DYes, as long as you take the antlers and the hide home
    Show answer

    Answer: B. No. Wasting game is unethical and illegal in many states

    Ethical hunters use the meat of the animals they take.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Which direction is a "safe direction" to point a firearm?

    • AAlways straight up, since bullets fired into the air cannot come back down with force
    • BToward your hunting partner's feet
    • CAlways at your feet
    • DOne where an accidental shot could not injure anyone or damage property
    Show answer

    Answer: D. One where an accidental shot could not injure anyone or damage property

    What is safe depends on the situation. Think about people, buildings and hard surfaces.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Before you shoot, what must you know about the animal?

    • AOnly that it is on public land
    • BIts species, and that its sex or antlers are legal for your license or tag
    • COnly that it is moving away from you and not toward any other hunters
    • DOnly that it is large
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Its species, and that its sex or antlers are legal for your license or tag

    Licenses and tags often apply to one species, sex or antler type.

14. Question 14 of 25

    How do white-tailed deer antlers usually grow?

    • AThey fork, and each fork forks again
    • BThey grow straight back from the head with no points
    • CPoints grow up from one main beam on each side
    • DThey are flat and wide like a shovel
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Points grow up from one main beam on each side

    Mule deer antlers fork into branches. White-tailed deer points rise from a main beam.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Which animal position offers the best shot at the vitals?

    • AFacing toward you at long range
    • BFacing straight away
    • CRunning
    • DBroadside or quartering away
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Broadside or quartering away

    These angles give the clearest path to the heart and lungs.

16. Question 16 of 25

    How should you get your gun or bow into a tree stand?

    • AHave someone toss it up
    • BCarry it loaded in one hand
    • CPull it up unloaded with a haul line after you are secure
    • DCarry it on your back while you climb so your hands are free
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Pull it up unloaded with a haul line after you are secure

    Climb with both hands free, then raise unloaded firearms and bows with a haul line.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Where must your fingers be when you shoot a crossbow?

    • ABelow the rail, out of the string's path
    • BOver the top of the rail
    • CIn front of the bolt to help guide it
    • DOn the string
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Below the rail, out of the string's path

    A crossbow string can cause serious injury to fingers in its path.

18. Question 18 of 25

    If you get lost, what does "STOP" stand for?

    • AStop, Think, Observe, Plan
    • BShout, Turn, Off-trail, Panic
    • CStart, Turn, Open, Proceed
    • DSearch, Travel, Orient, Push on
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stop, Think, Observe, Plan

    Staying calm and making a plan is the first survival step.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What should you always do before a hunting trip?

    • ALeave a plan with someone: where you will be and when you will return
    • BPack only lunch
    • CGo to a new area without a map, because exploring is the best way to learn the land
    • DTurn off your phone
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Leave a plan with someone: where you will be and when you will return

    If you do not return, rescuers will know where to search.

20. Question 20 of 25

    How should firearms be carried in a vehicle?

    • ALoaded on the seat
    • BWith a round in the chamber
    • CLoaded with the safety on
    • DUnloaded, and in a case
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Unloaded, and in a case

    Many states ban loaded firearms in vehicles. Pennsylvania, for example, bans a loaded firearm in, on or against any motor vehicle.

21. Question 21 of 25

    You see movement and hear a noise in the brush. What should you do?

    • AFire a warning shot
    • BWait until you can clearly see and identify the animal
    • CFire at the sound, since deer are the only animals there
    • DShoot quickly before it leaves
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Wait until you can clearly see and identify the animal

    Never shoot at sound, movement or color. Hunters are sometimes mistaken for game.

22. Question 22 of 25

    A hunter focuses on doing things a certain way, such as hunting with a muzzleloader or a bow. Which stage is this?

    • AMethod stage
    • BTrophy stage
    • CShooter stage
    • DLimiting-out stage
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Method stage

    In the method stage, how you hunt becomes more important than what you take.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Which field carry gives the best control of the firearm?

    • AThe sling carry
    • BThe one-hand trail carry
    • CThe shoulder carry
    • DThe two-hand (ready) carry
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The two-hand (ready) carry

    With both hands on the gun and the muzzle up and ahead, you have full control and can raise it quickly.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Why do states ask hunters to report their harvest?

    • ATo pick lottery winners
    • BThe data helps biologists set seasons and bag limits
    • CTo sell hunters' contact information to outdoor stores
    • DOnly to collect fees
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The data helps biologists set seasons and bag limits

    Harvest reports show how many animals were taken and where.

25. Question 25 of 25

    You are calling turkeys and see another hunter coming toward you. What should you do?

    • AStay silent and completely still until they walk past your setup
    • BMake a gobble call so they know where you are
    • CWave your hand quickly
    • DCall out in a clear, loud voice to let them know you are there
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Call out in a clear, loud voice to let them know you are there

    Never wave or use a turkey call to alert a hunter. Your voice tells them you are a person.

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The real test: Test-out exam (hunters 50+ and qualifying military): 90% or better